Did you know...We have about 3 billion cells in our body, working hard everyday to help us meet the demands of daily living. We might relax and rest, but our cells never do. When they "retire," or reach their individual life expectancy, they are replaced with new cells. If we are taking in optimal nutrition, keeping stress levels under control, resting like we should, and exercising regularly, our cells likely won't retire before their time. Unfortunately, most of us don't do all we can to stay healthy, and cells die too early. To boot, they are replaced with less-than-optimal new cells. This ......

The topic of cereal came up in a recent discussion during a wellness workshop. What kinds to pick, good vs. bad, where to find them, and so on. Below is a link to a great list of the 20 best cereals. Most, if not all, can be found at large grocery stores and health food markets, like Whole Foods. Look for cereals with the fewest ingredients, and lowest amount of sugar. You want to start off the day with energy that lasts, not a sugar roller coaster. Also, note that these brands are low in other additives, like food coloring and artificial flavors. These additives are too abundant in our foods ......

Sometimes hunger pains between meals mean a trip to the vending machine where, let's face it, the choices aren't nutrient rich. Getting in the habit of having a few healthy items on hand, stashed in your desk, or wherever, takes the thinking out of it, and can be so much healthier for you. Here are a few options that I like: HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS Hummus with Sliced Veggies This Middle Eastern chickpea spread is packed with protein, fiber and heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Veggies like carrots, bell peppers and broccoli make great dippers and add good nutrients, including beta-carotene, vitamin ......

I want to eat healthier, but my husband isn't on board with "health food." I want to start exercising more, but my family commitments don't leave any time for myself. I try to eat healthier at work, but my co-workers like to joke about how the lunches I pack are "too healthy." I hear comments like these all the time. It is hard enough to initiate change on your own, let alone have little support for your efforts at home, work, and elsewhere. Here's the important thing to remember, however. YOU are in charge of YOU. YOU are deciding to make healthier changes for YOUR benefit. Whether your husba......

I want to eat healthier, but my husband isn’t on board with “health food.”

I want to start exercising more, but my family commitments don’t leave any time for myself.

I try to eat healthier at work, but my co-workers like to joke about how the lunches I pack are “too healthy.”

I hear comments like these all the time. It is hard enough to initiate change on your own, let alone have little support for your efforts at home, work, and elsewhere.

Here’s the important thing to remember, however. YOU are in charge of YOU. YOU are deciding to make healthier changes for YOUR benefit. Whether your husband, kids, co-workers, or Aunt Sally are on board with this is their problem, not yours.Instead of trying to change their beliefs and attitudes about a healthier lifestyle, recruit support from friends and family who are in your change lane. Trying to convince your non-supporters that healthier food and more exercise are important is futile. All you need to remember, and remind them if you must, is that healthier food and more exercise is important to YOU. And, when you set the healthier example, stick to your guns, and don’t back down in the face of naysayer. When you stand up for yourself, you are, in effect, demonstrating strength, commitment, self-confidence, and leadership.

That’s right – you’re a leader! As a leader, you need to surround yourself with positive influences – people who will hold you up, rather than pull you down.

And the next time your co-workers make fun of your “too healthy” lunch, tell them the joke is on them .